How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Vermont
There are a variety of ways to get involved in the healthcare field. Some of the most important work in any facility is done behind the scenes, away from the view of patients. And wherever surgery or dental procedures are performed, these vital personnel include sterile processing technicians.
Sterile processors are decontamination experts. They make sure that both equipment and supplies are thoroughly cleaned and safe for further use. Interested in becoming one of these essential team players? Here’s an informative overview of what you need to know in the State of Vermont.
No License or Registration Required
If you’re familiar with the medical profession, you know that certain types of employees can’t work without getting licensed and registered at the state level. As medical equipment preparers, sterile processors avoid these requirements in most places across the U.S. That includes Vermont. In fact, you can start working as a sterile processing technician without meeting any statewide requirements.
Employers Determine Work Qualifications
It might seem unusual that there is no statewide oversight for people who hold such important jobs. After all, if medical equipment isn’t properly sanitized, all kinds of serious health problems may soon follow. Who makes sure that this sort of situation doesn’t happen? In states like Vermont, that burden falls squarely on healthcare employers.
These employers have a very strong motivation to hire competent sterile processors. To meet this objective, each facility refers to a list of qualifications that you must meet before receiving serious consideration. As a rule, such qualifications include a minimum age of 18 and completion of a high school-level education. You can also expect to find some sort of prerequisite for training or prior experience. The exact amount of training or experience you need may vary between employers. In at least some cases, you may need to hold sterile processor certification from a respected national organization.
Penn Foster College – Online Sterile Processing Technician Certification
Take the first steps towards a career as a sterile processing technician with Penn Foster’s Sterile Processing Career Diploma. As a student in the program, you’ll be prepared to sit for the Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) exam through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). Call 1-800-851-1819 today.
Training Options for Vermont Residents
Vermont lacks in-state training resources for sterile processing technicians. Fortunately, with the wide availability of the Internet, you still have access to plenty of online training providers. Some of the most well-known providers include:
- MedCerts – MedCerts provides sterile processor training through an extensive series of video courses. To add a human dimension, the company pairs this video approach with easy-access, individual mentoring sessions. A very high percentage of MedCerts program graduates go on to qualify for a national sterile processing certificate.
- Penn Foster – Penn Foster is perhaps the most comprehensive online provider of sterile processor coursework. All program graduates spend six to nine months completing a curriculum that includes 12 separate classes. These classes include core instruction in sterile processing. They also cover related subjects that support your main skill set. You can expect to be well-prepared for national certification at the end of your training.
- Ashworth College – Ashworth places a strong emphasis on the core areas of knowledge that working processors rely on every day. The school’s sterile processing program will also get you ready for national certification testing.
Vermont Sterile Processor Income
At just over $39,000 a year, the average salary for Vermont sterile processors falls right in line with the typical earnings for the combined 50 states. Odds are you won’t make this kind of money when you first get hired. But with a few years’ experience under your belt, you will likely see significant increases in your annual income.
Future Job Availability
Sterile processors and other medical equipment preparers are currently enjoying plentiful work opportunities in their field. This trend is projected to remain solid until at least the end of the 2020s. And given the ongoing need for medical care, you have every reason to expect that sterile processors will remain in demand for far longer than that.